Gordon was born in Morristown on July 18, 1949 to the late John L. and Leila Herdershot O’Hea. As a child, the sixth generation Hackettstonian was active in Cub Scouts, Midget football, Little League baseball, church youth groups, the Cherub choir, swimming and of course fishing. His summer days were spent along the shore of the Musconetcong River at the sandbar playing with friends and later at the age of nine on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousands Island.

Gordon graduated from Hackettstown High School, Class of 1967. He was widely known for his athletic skills and was a member of the Tiger football and baseball teams. Following high school he attended and graduated from Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa. in 1972 and received a BA in education. While in college he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and the Titan football team where he played in two national title football championship games.

Following college he tried out twice as a free agent for the Washington Redskins and the Virginia Ambassadors. He continued his athletic endeavors late into adulthood where he was a member of the Fiedler softball team for 37 years. Gordon was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He was a high school teacher and coach at Hackettstown High School but seemed happiest when he was building or fixing something. Following his teaching days he began a career in carpentry and masonry and was known as a regular “jack of all trades” One of his later projects was rebuilding the stone wall around First Presbyterian Church graveyard in Hackettstown.

He enjoyed his life and especially spending time with his friends, his daughter and his grandsons. Gordon’s most notable and rewarding undertaking in his life was the wonderful and loving care he gave his mother during the past 16 years or her life. Nothing was ever too much too handle in life. He was best known for his compassion, sense of humor, friendship and his ability to talk to anyone and everyone that listened.

Gordon is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Ginnis and husband Eleftrios, two grandsons, David and Nicholas Smither and three step-granddaughters, all Grove City, Pa; one brother, Michael O’Hea and wife Regina, of Logan W.V.; and two nephews, John and Justin O’Hea, and a great nephew Mark O’Hea, all of New Jersey.

A memorial service will be held in First Presbyterian Church, 298 Main St., Hackettstown on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m..